In the Malaysian context, it’s used for numerous purposes. A key use for an Ikea bag is not to actually shop at an Ikea outlet, but to carry dirty laundry to the nearby self-service laundry bar. It can be filled up at satisfactory level and you know for sure it won’t tear apart even if you over-do it. Well at least it hasn’t for me. You could tell anyone that it’s an iconic bag and nobody’s going to disagree with you.

A familiar face in fashion took it upon themselves to dip their toes into the Big Blue Bag craze by releasing a shopper called the ‘Arena Extra-Large Shopping Tote’. Of course it’s not made of the exact same material as the Ikea’s FRAKTA, instead it resembles the inspiration greatly with its construction of ‘blue wrinkled glazed leather’ according to Barneys. The infamous crunch remains.

It may offend some of you because it’s price, but honestly it is 2017 and this can’t be the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen up to date. At least give it to the designers for replicating something that’s genuinely practical. Don’t be a sour puss, even Ikea appreciates the gesture as a spokesperson from their side told Today, “We are deeply flattered that the Balenciaga tote bag resembles the Ikea iconic sustainable blue bag for 99 cents. Nothing beats the versatility of a great big blue bag!”

If a good old Ikea bag at RM2 will suffice for you, then you can join my family’s cult. If you’re practical but still fancy AF, head on over to Balenciaga for that giant blue bag!